ILOILO CITY (PIA) — In a bid to boost tourism and promote sustainable mountain guiding practices, some 50 local guides in Igbaras town recently participated in a two-day basic mountain guideship training spearheaded by the local tourism unit of local government in partnership with non-government organization Brokid.
Mayor Juvic Elmido Escorpion said that the training is a substantial step to continuously educate and capacitate the guides who are acting as frontliners in efforts to uplift the town’s tourism activities.
“As local guides, you are in the frontline. And we owe it all to you as you are giving a good name and reputation to our municipality, being a top tourist destination,” Escorpion said in a press release.
He likewise vowed to provide the needed support and take the necessary steps toward advancing the town’s tourism development.
Meanwhile, the training highlighted theoretical lectures and practical exercises from the expert trainers of the Education Committee of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc (MFPI), who emphasized the importance of respecting local ecosystems and preserving the integrity of the mountains.
Among the topics discussed include Basic Mountain Guideship, Hiking and Camping, Skills Training, Knot Tying Risk Assessment, River Safety Exercises at Tangyan River, and Map and Compass Reading.
The newly-trained guides received Certificates of Completion and training kits comprising a mini first aid kit and a headlamp. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo/with reports from Igbaras InfoCen)
